Melrose People: Rina And Brianna Cerulli

Thursday

May 17, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 17, 2007 at 5:16 PM

Mothers and daughters … sometimes they love each other, other times they can’t stand one another. The complex relationship is a source of endless lore upon which many a book and feature film has been created. But the love between one Melrose mother-daughter pair is no act.

Kathy Shiels Tully

Mothers and daughters … sometimes they love each other, other times they can’t stand one another. The complex relationship is a source of endless lore upon which many a book and feature film has been created. But the love between one Melrose mother-daughter pair is no act.

Meet the Cerulli showgirls: Rina Cerulli and her daughter, Brianna. Rina is a Melrose mother who many may know from the Melrose schools as a math tutor (kindergarten through high school). Brianna is a third-grader at the Winthrop School. Rina’s acting career began right here in Melrose many years ago with a small part on the Melrose High School stage; today, she consistently plays lead roles in shows produced by the Neverland Theatre, a North Shore theatre group known for its kid-friendly productions. Brianna, who used to have to be dragged to her mother’s rehearsals, now wants to attend. In fact, she has to — she now performs in the shows! We talked with them recently about their latest and upcoming acting venture, Neverland Theatre’s production of “High School Musical,” which opens this weekend.

Rina, when did you get bitten by the acting bug?When I was nine years old, my parents took me to see “My Fair Lady” at the Chateau d’Ville on Route One in Saugus (now the site a new Lowe’s Home Improvement store). At the time, it was an upscale theatre and we got all dressed up because they also served a sit-down dinner before the show. I was miserable. Not because I was dressed up, but because I was jealous of the performers. Suddenly, I knew I wanted to be on stage. Before then, no one in the family was in theatre, including me. I didn’t sing or dance. It was just an innate feeling. And very unsettling.

But it wasn’t until years later that I even tried acting. In my senior year at Melrose High School, I got a very small part in “Guys and Dolls.” Years before going on stage, I attended shows until I finally took a chance and auditioned.

What happened once you stepped onto the stage at Melrose High School back then?That was it. I didn’t stop. I did four shows a year in college. It was my outlet during four years of engineering at MIT. It got me through the grind and tedium of school. The only time I took a hiatus when Brianna was very young.

What effects has acting had on each of you?Rina: Early on, I was very shy. I was always in the chorus. It took time to build up confidence to show what I could do during the audition. I learned a lot from seeing others with more experience and also from being cast in leading roles. I finally realized I was more capable of doing what I was doing. I had gained confidence to show my full abilities. By nature, actors tend to be insecure so it takes a while to show your true abilities. Then of course, there are some whom aren’t insecure. I’d say that actors are definitely approval seekers, looking from approval from peers and from society.

Brianna: When I first saw my mom on stage getting applause as she played the wicked Witch in the “Wizard of Oz,” and getting more applause than me — I was in the chorus and played one of the Flying Monkeys — I got really jealous.

What other shows have you each appeared in?Rina: I’ve been in close to 40 productions, beginning with the chorus at Melrose High School and many with the Neverland Theatre, which is in its 17th season. I’ve played Golda in “Fiddler on he Roof,” Mama Rose in “Gypsy,” Rizzo in “Grease,” and am recreating, for a second time, the role of Miss Darby, the drama teacher in “High School Musical.” The show was such a hit in November that [Neverland Theatre director/founder] Andy Diskes is producing it again this spring. About half the cast is returning.

Brianna: I’ve played a munchkin in the “Wizard of Oz;” a sock hop dancer in “Grease;” and a brainiac in “High School Musical.”

Have either of you studied acting, dance, or singing?Rina: No. It’s all been “learn as you go.” I picked up a lot from different choreographers and directors, and from whatever comes from inside, I guess.

Brianna: No, I’ve also learned “on the job.”

Is there other stage or theater work you do?Rina: I also have been stage manager for “Blue Haired Troupe,” which Andy [Diskes] also wrote and produced; it was performed at Giggles Comedy Club at Prince Restaurant in Saugus and at Bayside in Scituate. Right now, I’m enjoying working with the Neverland Theatre group because all age groups — from young kids to grandparents — are involved. I can work with my daughter and it provides good training for young children. All the shows are appropriate for children. Andy brings in professional choreographers and directors. I like it because kid performers can get great experience but also enjoy themselves. It’s not high pressured.

Andy also runs a summer theatre musical workshop/camp. It’s a great confidence builder for kids who might be shy, like Brianna. His wife, Marianna, is a choreographer and has dance lessons for kids age seven and older.

What advice do you have for a kid — or adult — who might want to try acting?Brianna: Watch the show and pretend you’re in it. See how you like it.

Rina [to Brianna]: You mean, go to an audition and try out?

Brianna: No, pretend you’re on the stage playing the role. See how it makes you feel. If you like how it makes you feel, try auditioning.

Rina: For someone who needs confidence building, it’s great to get started in the chorus. There’s lots of teamwork; it’s a great steppingstone to get experience and confidence. You don’t feel like it’s sink or swim. You feel part of something much larger. Stage crew is another way to get involved or administration, like selling tickets. See what goes on behind the scenes. Then get confidence to try out.

How has confidence from the theater transferred to your life?Rina: Soon after doing the “Wizard of Oz,” Brianna had to give an oral book report in second grade and, for the first time, was eager to do it. It was a biography so she got dressed up like her character, brought music in from the show “Annie Get Your Gun.” Her teacher said she spoke loud and was excited, and said that she did an excellent job.

What’s it like to be on stage together?Rina: I’m more nervous when she’s on stage.

Brianna [to Rina]: Why? Do you think I’m going to mess up?

Rina: NO! I want to make sure someone’s with you to help you, like when you had to change into your monkey suit, or put on makeup. I have to think for two people.

Any downsides to performing together?Rina: I can’t sit out front and be the stage mother and watch. I have to wait for the DVD to come out.

When you’re not performing, what do you both do for fun?Brianna: Dogs. We have five pets: Three dogs and two rabbits. I’ve also played Melrose Youth Soccer.

Rina: I love antiques and old houses. Melrose is a perfect place for both.

The Neverland Theatre’s production of “High School Musical,” runs from Saturday, May 19 through Monday, May 28, at Temple B’nai Abraham Theater, Beverly. For more information, call 978-948-7925; email Info@neverlandtheatre.com or visit neverlandtheatre.com.

Know someone you’d like to see featured in Melrose People? Call Melrose resident Kathy Shiels Tully at 781-662-4205, or call or email Free Press Editor Carol Brooks Ball at 978-739-1314 or melrose@cnc.com.